Upgrade advice on a bit of a budget

DrJ

DrJ

DrJ

Associate
Joined
30 Oct 2020
Posts
8
Hi Forum people

I'm an old hand at building PCs, but I'm really out of touch with the latest stuff. Like I haven't opened a case in anger for maybe 5 years (except to replace my video card a short while ago). I'd like to upgrade my gaming/rendering machine without spending the Big Bucks.

The current machine has an ancient Gigabyte Z87 mainboard, with 8GB (what!) RAM, and a Core i5-4670K CPU. All this I want to replace.

I have an old Lian-Li case which is pretty spacious with a 700W PSU.
Storage is 1TB SSD (2.5") + Graphics is a Radeon RX570 8GB all of which I'd like to keep if at all possible.

I've looked around and read some of the upgrade threads and came up with this list (which is Intel-y), but I would love some suggestions from you super knowledgeable people.

Team Group Dark T-Force 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-25600C16 3200MHz Dual Channel Kit - Black/Grey (TDGED4

Intel Core i5-10400F 2.90GHz (Comet Lake) Socket LGA1200 Processor - Retail

Gigabyte Z490 Gaming X (Socket LGA 1200) DDR4 ATX Motherboard
 
Thanks for your reply!

I guess I've always built and re-built the gaming box over time.
It's a bit like Grandfathers axe, it's been in the family for 10yrs, and i've replaced the blade and the handle but it's still Grandfathers axe :-)
So right now i've only really got budget to replace the mb/cpu/ram but I'd love to be able to replace the gpu/cpu in a couple of years and still keep the mb?
Does that make any sense?

As to AMD, I've not really kept up with the Ryzen stuff at all.
It used to be that you'd get far better bang for buck with AMD, and would it pair with my Radeon better?
Any suggestions would be gratefully received.
 
No worries!

I tried an AMD build based on the b450 tomahawk and couldn't get it near the intel budget, that was with a Ryzen 5
Are the numbering systems 3/5/7 etc kinda similar bewteen the giant chip makers or is this a ruse?

I've spec'd up the following, but the MAG B450 Tomahawk seems to read that it supports up to DDR4 2666 MHz, so should I bin the 3600MHz DDR4?!
Also wondering about upgrading the RAM to 32GB.

1 CP-680-IN Intel Core i5-10400F 2.90GHz (Comet Lake) Socket LGA1200 Processor - Retail £139.99
1 MY-0A3-TG Team Group Vulcan TUF Gaming Alliance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR4 PC4-28800C19
3600MHz Dual Channel Kit - Blac £64.99
1 MB-356-MS MSI MAG B460 TOMAHAWK (Socket LGA 1200) DDR4 ATX Motherboard £129.95

TOTAL £334.93

General use:
Premiere Pro, After Effects & other Adobe suite
example games - Borderlands 2/3, Hellblade, Assassins Creed series, Tomb Raider, Witcher 3, Resident Evil remake etc
 
Heya

Thanks for the suggestions and thoughts.
I've not built for a long while, and in the quick research I did before coming into the forums I picked some components that seemed to get good reviews but without really knowing the pinch points wasn't sure what could/should be sacrificed. I always seem to build on the basis that I might be able to upgrade some components later on, but then never do! I seem to be stuck in upgrading the GPU then a few years later the CPU/RAM/MB - rinse and repeat.

If the ~£300 /£350 builds you folks are suggesting are all I need to bring this machine kicking and screaming into the 2020s then thats a bonus!

In terms of AMD/intel whichever gives me better performance I guess.
(I do like the sounds of the 10400F)

I'll be pairing this with my existing Radeon RX570 8GB for now.

I do like the M.2 slots, and the more USB the merrier, cause I'm peripheral heavy here.

I have an old M-Audio PCI sound card, but I guess they don't fit in anything anymore :)

Once again, thanks for all the knowledge!
 
BIG QUESTION:
Is it worth holding on for Black Friday times, am I likely to get Huge Discounts :-)

Anyhow, from the info you've shared in this thread.
An AMD build looks like this, but with a MB swap (mainly because the Asus board gets a 1* godawful review).

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £400.95 (includes shipping: £10.50)​
​

Whilst an intel build might look like this:

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £351.92 (includes shipping: £10.50)​
​

Maybe with this board instead?

My basket at Overclockers UK:
Total: £84.89 (includes shipping: £9.90)​
​
 
That's all super useful info, thanks so much.

Just to ask again, is Black Friday a thing when it comes to components?
I can bring the AMD build home for around £350 (with a bit of mixing and matching, and taking your suggestions re: 3600).
Is that going to change much in a months time?
I can wait if there's likely price changes (from new stuff coming out or the pre-xmas sales)
 
Ha! Wasn't supposed to sound like I was demanding a look into your crystal balls!
I suppose I'm wondering if I can save £50 or so down the line by putting it off, or just suck up the (potential) cost saving and get on with it.

Thanks for all your advice, really, really helpful
 
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